Karasburg finances in shambles
Town in a political 'stranglehold'
Namibia's urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni visited the town last week amid numerous financial and other political struggles the town is facing.
Kalle Goliath, personal assistant to Karasburg's mayor, says the town is "in a stranglehold" amidst ongoing political struggles.
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni visited the town last Thursday, allegedly accompanied by several police officers. He met with the town council and municipal leaders and held a public meeting with residents.
"I had hoped that things would change with the minister's visit," said Goliath.
Uutoni's visit has already become the subject of a series of questions by the deputy leader of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), Henny Seibeb, which the minister will have to answer before parliament on on 6 July.
Missing money
According to Goliath, the town's finances are in a worrying state, with N$10 million allegedly going missing in 2018. The matter remains the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing against the former CEO of the municipality, Nico Titus.
More recently, N$2.8 million disappeared over 36 months, Goliath claimed.
Furthermore, the town has to work with a development budget of only N$35 000 for the next three years, he added – a budget allocation that forms part of questions posed by Seibeb to Uutoni.
The town council consists of four LPM council members, two from Swapo, and one council member from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).
Claims and allegations
The chairperson of the LPM policy unit, Lazarus Kairabeb, claimed in a recent press release that the money went missing under the supervision of the municipality's suspended CEO, Hansina Isaacks.
This happened over short periods of two to three weeks, with N$841 380 disappearing, followed by N$880 532, then N$460 008, and again N$2 226 360 – with no one providing any answers regarding the issue, he said.
Kairabeb alleged that Uutoni wants the town council to fail, which is why he delegated the issue of the CEO position to the town's administration.
Goliath also alleged that Isaacks broke into her office on Friday and resumed her work, resulting in a case of trespassing being reported to the police.
Living conditions
The minister informed residents during his visit that a committee is being formed to investigate the reason why local authorities, such as Karasburg, are not settling their debt with NamPower and NamWater.
Regarding the shortage of land around Karasburg, Erika Nehunga, Karasburg's technical director, said that most of the plots have already been allocated to certain individuals.
While the town council has already demarcated the land, it has not been serviced yet.
"We want to reactivate Build Together," Uutoni said, adding that an appropriate budget has been allocated for it.
The low-cost loan, ranging from N$40 000 to N$80 000, is much more affordable for many compared to buying a house for N$600 000, according to the minister.
No money left
At the event, Jacobus Basson, a member of the Build Together community committee, said the programme has stagnated in Karasburg due to a lack of funds.
"Over the past three years, we have only built three houses," he said, noting that owners have also not repaid the loans.
Mayor Maria Veldskoen confirmed that the ministry has made N$500 000 available for the Build Together programme, which may be disbursed by the end of the month.
According to her, N$130 000 is already available in the relevant account. "I am very frustrated that the committee was not informed about it," she said.
Build Together was developed with the aim of providing every Namibian family, who has no access to housing due to low income, with a fair opportunity to obtain land with water, electricity, and a waste disposal system.
[email protected]
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni visited the town last Thursday, allegedly accompanied by several police officers. He met with the town council and municipal leaders and held a public meeting with residents.
"I had hoped that things would change with the minister's visit," said Goliath.
Uutoni's visit has already become the subject of a series of questions by the deputy leader of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), Henny Seibeb, which the minister will have to answer before parliament on on 6 July.
Missing money
According to Goliath, the town's finances are in a worrying state, with N$10 million allegedly going missing in 2018. The matter remains the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing against the former CEO of the municipality, Nico Titus.
More recently, N$2.8 million disappeared over 36 months, Goliath claimed.
Furthermore, the town has to work with a development budget of only N$35 000 for the next three years, he added – a budget allocation that forms part of questions posed by Seibeb to Uutoni.
The town council consists of four LPM council members, two from Swapo, and one council member from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).
Claims and allegations
The chairperson of the LPM policy unit, Lazarus Kairabeb, claimed in a recent press release that the money went missing under the supervision of the municipality's suspended CEO, Hansina Isaacks.
This happened over short periods of two to three weeks, with N$841 380 disappearing, followed by N$880 532, then N$460 008, and again N$2 226 360 – with no one providing any answers regarding the issue, he said.
Kairabeb alleged that Uutoni wants the town council to fail, which is why he delegated the issue of the CEO position to the town's administration.
Goliath also alleged that Isaacks broke into her office on Friday and resumed her work, resulting in a case of trespassing being reported to the police.
Living conditions
The minister informed residents during his visit that a committee is being formed to investigate the reason why local authorities, such as Karasburg, are not settling their debt with NamPower and NamWater.
Regarding the shortage of land around Karasburg, Erika Nehunga, Karasburg's technical director, said that most of the plots have already been allocated to certain individuals.
While the town council has already demarcated the land, it has not been serviced yet.
"We want to reactivate Build Together," Uutoni said, adding that an appropriate budget has been allocated for it.
The low-cost loan, ranging from N$40 000 to N$80 000, is much more affordable for many compared to buying a house for N$600 000, according to the minister.
No money left
At the event, Jacobus Basson, a member of the Build Together community committee, said the programme has stagnated in Karasburg due to a lack of funds.
"Over the past three years, we have only built three houses," he said, noting that owners have also not repaid the loans.
Mayor Maria Veldskoen confirmed that the ministry has made N$500 000 available for the Build Together programme, which may be disbursed by the end of the month.
According to her, N$130 000 is already available in the relevant account. "I am very frustrated that the committee was not informed about it," she said.
Build Together was developed with the aim of providing every Namibian family, who has no access to housing due to low income, with a fair opportunity to obtain land with water, electricity, and a waste disposal system.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article